A special counsel is a rare instance in which the special counsel has the same rights as any United States attorney. These rights include the ability to conduct investigations, deliver criminal charges and request subpoena records. Unlike United States attorneys, a special counsel committee is under no obligation to inform the Justice Department of their intentions and actions; the only entity the counsel must report to is the attorney general (Jeff Sessions). However, only Jeff Sessions’s deputy, Rod Rosenstein has the power to fire the head of the special counsel. Therefore, Robert Mueller’s special counsel is pursuing the investigations commenced by former FBI Director James Comey regarding President Trump’s affiliations with Russia, and any other matters that might arise from the investigation.

The firing of FBI Director James Comey led Democrats to call for a special counsel to continue to oversee the investigation surrounding President Trump’s possible communication and alliance with Russian officials. Senate Intelligence Committee minority leader Mark Warner (D-VA) made it clear that such an unwarranted and rash decision by President Trump to fire Mr. Comey in the midst of an active counterintelligence investigation was explanation enough to call for a special counsel.

After the approval of Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, Robert S. Mueller III was appointed as special counsel. As a generally well-respected and established former federal prosecutor known for aiding the United States substantially after the September 11th attacks and worked under both Republican and Democrat presidents, Mr. Rosenstein felt Mr. Mueller to be an appropriate fit for the job as special counsel.

On June 14th, 2017, the special counsel began investigating President Trump and whether or not he attempted to obstruct justice. Obstructing of justice essentially means that an individual has in some way impeded an official investigation by committing any other action that may tamper with or destroy evidence that is integral to an active investigation. Based off of claims by former FBI Director James Comey regarding statements by President Trump to drop the Russian investigation, special counsel Robert Mueller has thus decided to pursue investigations to determine if Trump did obstruct justice. Obstruction of justice can be an impeachable offense, so should allegations against President Trump reign true, it is possible that he could be permanently removed from office.

SOURCES:
http://www.cbsnews.com/news/the-powers-and-limits-of-robert-muellers-new-job-as-special-counsel/


https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2017/05/17/us/politics/document-Robert-Mueller-Special-Counsel-Russia.html

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